GRINGO eless · GRINGO. rth. VOL. 2 ED. 15 • SEPTEMBER 21. TH, 2015 • NO BAD NEWS. eless.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6. Dump Dogs Get A . Still Worse Day. The

NorthGRINGOVOL. 2 ED. 15 • SEPTEMBER 21TH, 2015 • NO BAD NEWS

Priceless

.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Dump Dogs Get A Still Worse DayThe lady doggies will be greatful, the men dogs, not so much

BY OPHELIA PAYNE

There’s a sad place up the hill on the other side of the highway, not too far from the Baja Ani-mal Sanctuary. It is a common place for people to dump unwant-ed dogs, and since it is near the city dump, maybe people think that’s the a p p r o p r i a t e place to dump dogs? The

city dump? I have yet to find anyone willing to cop to this dastardly act of abandonment, but it is a fact of life. Somebody’s doing it.

The social structure of the dog community is defined by who is

accepted by the pack of previously dumped dogs and who is not. The dogs that are not accepted have no

place to g o b u t

down the hill to the Baja Animal Sanctuary.

Jaime Victorio lives and works at the shelter and is director of operations, The Sanctuary, or BAS as it referred to, was founded by Sunny Benedict way back in 1997 and now has 400 barking, tail wagging residents. They even have some cats. The BAS tries to turn no one away. BAS is sup-ported by donations with long standing funding from people in the community as well as adop-tion events in San Diego. Their need is great.

Robin Gunther is the driving force behind spay and neuter in Baja and holds monthly free and low cost sterilization clinics, greatly reducing the number of strays in our community. She was looking for a place to hold her September spay and neuter, so she called Jaime asking for the use of BAS and heard an earful from Jaime about the long line of dogs walking towards him from the dump. BAS was full but Jamie began taking them anyway to ease the pain of these poor dogs. BAS only adopts out spay and neutered animals so their facility was offered to Robin for her sterylization clinic. Together these two people put together the September program of spay and neuter of Baja dump dogs.

The dump is overrun with dogs reproducing more like

BY NICOLE MAC INTYRE

The Lowdown On SENTRI PassesIt’s not easy to get, and they are quick to yank it away

It was a Monday afternoon and the border lanes were long, but the SENTRI lane looked like it would be a breeze. It’s my first time driving in the SENTRI lane, and I confidently rolled up to the booth. I handed my Global Entry (GE) card (A Trusted Travelers program which includes SENTRI) to the Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer, and my buddy handed

over his passport. “Do you have a Global or SENTRI card, sir?” the CBP officer asked my buddy. “No”, he replied. Screetch to a stop.

Nearly an hour passed while we cooled our heels, until finally a border officer approached to explain, “You’re in violation of SENTRI program rules because the passenger in your vehicle does

“We might have to resort to crossing like this if Sentri doesn’t lighten up a little”

.COM September 21th, 20152

Que Pasa in Baja?BY OLIVER QUINTERO

Forbes visits Baja. The Mexi-can edition of Forbes magazine visited our cool state for four days, recently, digging up stories for the magazine. The tourism of-fice took them around the state to see the main attractions we have to offer, like downtown Tijuana, the wine valley of Ensenada, a hot air balloon ride, and several art galleries and restaurants.

Geeze! They treat these people like they’re royalty and you would think they would throw a bone to this poor writer, but no! We are dust on their shoes. We don’t even get so much as a bus ride, much less a balloon ride.

In other tourist news Our chief of tourism, Oscar Esc-obedo, announced that Baja has

recorded the highest hotel oc-cupancy rate since 2007 in each and every tourist city, and in the first semester of 2015 we already recorded a million more foreign visitors than last year. And did Forbes bring us any of those people? No! And did the GG keep all those people informed and entertained? You bet we did!

Santiago and I are pretty tired of being chopped liver around here.

Binational Police Intelli-gence. Baja Public Security Chief Daniel de la Rosa met with the directors of the LA CLEAR (Los Angeles Regional Criminal Information Clearinghouse) in order to establish intelligence systems to combat crime on both sides of the border.

De La Rosa said Baja has been cooperating extensively with U.S. authorities in the matter of bad Grin-gos and that 925 foreign criminals, who were try-ing to hide in Baja, have been captured since 2002.

Erick Bundle, direc-tor of LA CLEAR, and De La Rosa agreed to work together in order to bring down organized crime of all kinds, especially drug cartels and groups dedicated to gun and people trafficking.

FYI Foreigners, (that’s you, Bunky,) wanted in the United

States and found and detained here, go right back to the States on the next plane or car, with no court appearance and no extradi-

tion hearing. It’s all up to local authorities if they want to get rid of them, and they always do. They

only allow Mexicans to fight extradition. Mexico doesn’t want your garbage.

Ensenada wins. Just last

Journalism is publishing something that somebody

doesn’t want printed.

Published bi-monthly in Vista, CA and distributed in Mexico & The United States by Enojoso Publicaciones

S.A. de C.V.

Northern Baja044 (646) 179-4599

Cabo San Lucas(624) 143-5750 & 143 0865

United States303 Magnolia Dr.

Laguna Beach, CA, 92651Ph. (562) 714 6735

Subscriptions availablesee page 10 or 11, maybe

12, sometimes 4.Or mail $65 for one year, (26 issues) or $45 for six

months (13 issues)to the U.S.

Check the paper online:www.gringogazette.comYou may view the entire

newspaper, just as it appears in print, online

Who's to blame:

PublisherCarrie Duncan,

[email protected] (562) 714-6735

EditorOliver Quintero

[email protected]

[email protected]

Sales & DistributionOliver Quintero

Cell (646) 179-4599

Graphic DesignOliver Quintero

GRINGO

Everything else is just public relations

Subscribe!!or we’ll throw thekitty under the busGo to page 4

• 24 hr security• Up to 34 ft. boats• Self-Storage Units Available

STORE YOUR BOAT FOR PEANUTS!

Call (646) 149-9186www.elparianselfstorage.comEsmeralda #722-C, Valle Dorado, Ensenada

We’ll bring your boat to our storage and have it ready when you need it for only $69.99 monthly or $3.50 per day.

month in the annual Cerveza Mexico competition in Mexico City, the Wendlandt brewery from Ensenada won the Best Brewey in Mexico award. Besides that, brewers from Baja took home a total of 16 medals.

Jose Estrada, head of the Baja brewers association, said this only confirms that Baja is pro-ducing quality beer.

The Cerveza Mexico event was held at the World Trade

Center of Mexico City, with around 150 participants from professional and amateur brew-

eries. All the beers are graded by international judges certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program. How do you apply for that job? We wouldn’t mind studying for that certicication. But they probably don’t take us chopped liver for students.

More tourism police. Ensenada just reinforced

their tourism police with three new cops added. The local police chief said that in response to the growing number of tour-ists visiting Ensenada, more cops were needed. “We have heard a lot of complaints from business owners downtown regarding their concern about the number of people approaching nice tour-ist families pushing drugs,” our top cop said.

Another common complaint is the pushy retail store clerks who come out on the street and accost passers by, imploring them to come in. the problem is it happens every 10 feet, and these guys won’t take no for an answer. By the time a tourist is half way down a block they’re sick of it, and get rude, causing the clueless, (are they really?) store hustlers to get rude right back. My feeling is they know they’re being dicks, they just do it to amuse themselves. Same thing happens in Lobster Town. It’s not good for tourism and nobody seems to care.

San Quintin wants a Guin-ness. A record that is, not the beer. At this year’s clam festival, San Quintin is trying to get a Guinness record for the big-CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

On a septic tank truck: Yesterday’s Meals on Wheels

.COMSeptember 21th, 2015 3

BY TOM EMANUEL

Mariachis And Folk Dancers To Benefit KidsThis is one of the more interesting charity benefits. These performers are at the top of their game

World class mariachis and famous folk dancing troupes will perform for us in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Rosarito in early October. This great tra-dition was started only five years ago and it has been expanding ev-ery since. It now is able to attract the best performers in the finest traditions of Mexican culture.

The festival this year will start with workshops teaching kids ten years old and up the fundamen-

tals and the niceties of mariachi music and of folk dances. Sup-porters have already donated more than 100 musical instru-ments to the The Boys and Girls Club, including everything from guitars, to violins, to tambourines and even a harp. The club also boasts a piano on which children can bang out their favorite tunes. Over 200 kids are expected to attend these workshops and the goal is to have an instructor for each class of 15 kids.

Rosy Torres and the staff of The Boys and Girls Club are just glowing with excitement as they prepare to host the stars of their culture. The Mariachi Divas, a well known troupe from L.A., and the winners of two Gram-mies, are coming again this year. Also, the Mariachi Nuevo

Tecalitlan from Jalisco who are practically worshipped through-out Mexico, will be here. (But then the patron saint of narcos is practically worshipped, too,)

Also flying in from Mexico City to add star power to the festival will be Rigoberto Alfaro. He is a famous master of the musical arts in Mexico. He has been a performer, guitarist, com-poser, arranger, artistic director, and music teacher to entire gen-erations of musical performers

through out Mexico, and in many other Latin countries as well. He has been a living foundation of the Mexican musical world for more than 63 years now.

The festival will also feature Ballet Folklorico Tapatio. They have troupes in Oceanside, Cali-fornia, Tucson, Arizona and in Jalisco, Mexico.

But the festival does not only sport Mariachi groups and dances performed by folk danc-ing troupes, it also will feature

other types of music that people in Rosarito love. There will be banda, norteno, and rock music. In addition, the Baja Cowboys will perform.

The festival will run for four days, September 30th through October 3rd, at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. The workshops for the youngsters will take place over three days on September 30th and October 1st and 2nd at the Boys and Girls Club. There will be classes for four levels of achievement.

On the 30th the international groups will play in various restau-rants throughout Rosarito from

6 – 8 pm. On October 1st at 5 pm there will be a press confer-ence and an induction into the Hall of Fame. In addition there

will be “Cocktails With The Stars” starting at 7:00 pm. Then the festival itself will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of October CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

“The Boys and Girls Club of Rosarito Beach is patterned after the Boys & Girls Club of America and is a non-profit organization that gets no help from the

government”

“With our comprehensive prevention mode we wish to create real impact on Re-

ducing crime and substance abuse and Improving the

quality of life of local chil-dren and young people”

“The Rosarito Boys & Girls Club serves children 6 to 16 of working parents, who are at risk of falling

into anti-social conduct for lack of adult supervision, by establishing an after

school care center”

Ask a Mexican This Week’s Question is,What would you do if you were president?

1. Carlos Hernán-dez. Living in Baja for 12 years. Maintenence manager. First of all, I would lower income

taxes to 8%. The rich people would pay more. The richest and the in-vestors should pay at least 10%. Also, I would write and reform a law so that no children are kept from receiving an education. I would flood the technology field with more resources, and not allow brilliant minds to go work in other coun-tries. Instead, I would pay them a good salary, so they could continue their studies and research with more enthusiasm, and so our nation would have more industry. And the most important subject:

fight poverty and hunger. Every Mexican should have food and a decent place to live.

2. Raúl Lerma Car-

razco. Living in Baja for 17 years. High school student. I would tell the people what I would like to do and ask them to help me. Do not increase taxes and pay a good salary for every worker, no matter if it is a man or woman. Do not let children work at all. They have the right to be a child, with quality educa-tion, to have a good future, helping the country with their knowledge and later working in excellent facto-ries or industries. So people would have more work. I would build more paved streets, better street lights, and build decent houses

or apartments for all the people. I would help young students with scholarships which would be a good way to end the problem of

children on the streets.3. Edgar Santos. Living

in Baja for 11 years. Gas station attendant. I would support all the junior and senior high school stu-dents, so they would not turn away in contempt. Out of every 50 students who start school, only about 20 finish their stud-ies. I would give them the best teachers and profes-sors, and I would increase activities such as photogra-phy and painting, so they would have more interest in staying in school. Also I would lower the enrollment fees. That way, the students would have a little bit of

cash, so they could afford it and enjoy the extra classes. At the same time give them opportunities to work with dignity. So, with my power

as a president, I would ask companies to make space for the graduates to start practicing what they are studying.

4. Lorenzo García. Living in Baja for seven years. Manager at a light-ing store. I would support the working class, those who work in factories, in the fields, in agriculture or production, the places where our resources come from. I would give them a good salary, so they could work with enthusiasm. I would look very closely at the children in elementary and junior high school, to make sure they have com-

puters and opportunities to learn another language, like French, German, and English. For the women, I would give them better

treatment with no excep-tions, like any other human being. I would make re-forms that would not cause damage to poor people.

5. Rafaél Imperial Her-rera. Living in Baja for 13 years. Palapero (builder of palm tree roofs). I would make the women (like an obligation), wear skirts in-stead of pants. They are not men. They should be abso-lutely feminine. Mostly the teachers should have to be an example for the students. Now, they dress like if they were going for a carnival contest. That is why there are so many young single mothers. I would demand

good education, security and healthcare for all the citizens. I would find a way to create more jobs, so the poverty would end.

My government would give much more help to the rural areas. They are the basis for food in our country.

6. Guillermo García. Living in Baja for nine years. Attorney. Hon-estly I would not want to have that injunctive. Whatever I would try to do, like a supreme com-mander, people would never be happy. So I think I am a better father, bet-ter husband, and a better professional just the way I am today, helping the people around me, with-out so many stupid and sick laws.

2 3 4 5 61

Sculptures In: Marble , Onyx & Cantera Stone Call Us To :(01152661) 6124499 Or Visit Our Showroom

Free Rd. Tijuana -Ensenada Km.40.5 Email: [email protected]

• Projects• Licenses• Blueprints• Permits• Construction• Remodeling• Painting• Roofing

Martinez de BajaCONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS

• Residential• Commercial• Industrial• Plumbing• Floors• Architectural

Design• ...andmore

Serving Both Bajas Since 1985


continued on page25

GRINGOSend Your Dinero To The Gringo Gazette

Yes! Yes! Sign Me Up!It's not gonna be my fault the kitty got tossed under the bus!

P.O. Box 13168 Palm Desert CA 92252562 714 6735

6 Months 2nd Class Mail (13 Issues) -$4512 Months 2nd Class Mail (26 Issues) - $65

Name ___________________________________________________________

Street _____________________________________City___________________

State/Province _______________________________________ Zip___________

Phone (in case we can't read your crummy writing)______________________

order now or we'llthrow the kittyunder the bus.

and save the kitty!Sorry, Canadians, we just could not reliably get them to you so we’re not mailing to Canada anymore.

To subscribe, you must have a United States address.

SUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBE

Make your check payable to Gringo Gazette and send it toOliver Quintero, PMB-80 PO BOX 189003, Coronado, CA, 92178

North

E-mail

betty’sAuthentic American Burgers

KM 28 on the Free Road. Almost across the street of thepurple motel. Ph. (661) 116 6120. Closed Mondays

“Simply stated - the real deal“

Decoration de Ventanas Imperial

Mexico: (661)112-6496San Diego: (619)552-9761

2109 Salerno, [email protected]

WE OFFER • Roller Shades (Motorized) • Wood and Faux Blinds • Granite counter tops • Vertical Blinds • Roman Shades • Woven Woods • Wood Shutter • Laminated Flooring

Serving Rosarito& Ensenada area

LIFETIME WARRANTY

FREE Installation& Estimates

not possess SENTRI or Global membership. Your GE member-ship is now revoked,”

Eventually I was able to cross the border, but without my Global card, and that’s when I decided

to further research the SENTRI program. On November 1, 1995 SENTRI was first implemented at the Otay Mesa, California port of entry – the busiest port of entry into the United States. SENTRI is an acronym for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid

THE LOWDOWN ON SENTRI...

continued from page 1

Did Anybody See These Little Carts With Mexican Flags?It’s for the holiday, and we don’t even want to know that you don’t even know which holiday this is

BY ALEJANDRA SARACHAGA

As in any other country our Mexican flag is a big deal for us. But more so here. We would not wear the bandera of the country

as a swmming suit for crying out loud, and we don’t understand how you can desecrate your flag like that.

We even have to memorize an oath to the flag and the mean-ing of its colors when we are in elementary school.

The current Mexican flag was officially adopted in 1968, but the basic design has been around since 1821. Our flag has changed

13 times since then. Kinda like our constitution, it’s a fluid thing.

White meant the purity of the Catholic faith, red for the merg-ing of Spaniards and indigenous, and green for the independence from Spain movement.

But when Benny Juarez be-came president he changed the meaning because he also estab-lished a law which made the country secularized, meaning that no religion will be official and schools should not teach religion. He did this because the Catholic church was meddling in politics and had backed the wrong man when Juarez rose to power. So Juarez clipped the churches wings.

At that time the colors came to be green for hope, white for unity and red for the blood shed by the national heroes.

All this is to emulate Padre Miguel Hidalgo, the father of independence, who grabbed a Virgin of Guadalupe banner, waved it around like crazy and yelled out Viva Mexico, and call-ing for independence.

So here is where the carritos are explained.

You could buy all kinds of holiday paraphernalia off those little carts that spring up around town at this time of year. Those are little carts, or Carritos. Hung on these green, white, and red carts you will find Mexican flags of course, in all sizes and for all purposes, to decorate your house, your office, your car, or yourself. There are also whistles, trumpets, stickers, and even dresses for little girls. There are Mexican dolls, bobby pins, and the image of St. Jude and the Guadalupe Virgin decorated with the colors of the Mexican flag. Green, white and red, pay attention! There are also clappers, fake mustaches, neck-laces, earrings, pinwheels, key chains, and more. And the prices are fair; they go from 20 pesos all the way up to 350 pesos for the biggest flag. All these items are

These carts with patriotic memorabelia, (OK, cheap trinkets), have come over from the mainland for the holiday

handmade right here in Mexico. And if you missed them, they

have packed up for the season, because we are done celebrat-ing the birth of our country for another year. Look for them next year.

KM 42.6 on the Free Road. Sat. October 24 - 10AM-1PM Info: Diana Dalton [email protected]

Gently used clothing, general household stuff, sporting goods, tools, home décor, new and gently used jewelry, possibly some kids’ stuff - lots of treasures for treasure

hunters, all at reasonable prices and all to benefit 4 local ministries.

This is a fun family event with bake sale, tacos, kids’ activities, and more.

church

Christmas In October by Rosarito Christian Church

Inspection, and helps travelers cross the border efficiently, but holds them to a high standard for the privilege. Chief Customs Border Protection officer Angelica Decima explains, “SENTRI allows members access to dedicated pe-destrian and vehicle lanes at ports of entry along the southern border separate from the general public, for faster crossings. For passenger vehicles there are 25 lanes under the headings “Standard,” “Ready-lane,” or “SENTRI.” Pedestrian lanes read the same way. Differ-ent lanes require different types of documentation for entry into

the U.S. Standard lanes are for the

general public. Each traveler must either have a valid passport booklet or card. Sunday evening is a peak crossing time, and travelers CONTINUED ON PAGE 9


Phone It or Text It InYou can call or text Oliver at (646) 179 4599 Mail It InYou can mail it along with your check to:Oliver Quintero, PMB-80 PO BOX 189003, Coronado, CA, 92178Make check payable to Gringo Gazette

Email It InYou can email it to [email protected]

How easy are those choices? Hint: Very easy.Cost is only 80 cents a word, and that includes posting your ad in our online version as well as the printed edition.We do take credit cards.

Total Words ____________Times 80 Cents A Word X .80

Total Amount Owed ____________

Classified Ads Easy Sign Up

dddd NEXT DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2015

DELIGHTFUL 1 br, 1 bath ocean view bungalow in Ro-sarito, 3 min walk to large sandy beach only PRICE SLASHED:

$10,000 (land rent $165./mo.). 3 decks,furnished, natural wood beam living room ceiling. For photos and more info. Richard

([email protected]) 661-478-8536 (USA)

SINGLE MALE looking for double jointed super model who grows her own

pot. Open minded twin sister

a plus. Me, famous and well paid newspaper columnist, quite handsome. Call 646 179 4599 and ask for Santiago.CALL ME FOR GREAT BAR-GAINS on houses, lots and rentals! bill’s baja bargains 760-554-4238 mex:01646-1550029 gracias!

MOBILE HOME 4 SALE 24’x64’, 2x4ConstructionGoodRoof, 2BR2BA, HugeKitchenGreat-Room/LR. 805-2050395, 646-1258785

What’s Going On In This Country? BY

SAN

TIAG

OVE

RDUG

O

Our Druggies Can’t Do Any-thing Right. Aren’t our Mexican druggies supposed to be cracker jack at growing, manufacturing, and selling drugs? Aren’t our guys the most bad ass head choppers in the world? Then just what are we doing importing 436 lbs of cocaine from those stumble bums in Colombia??

And, FYI, those same stumble bums down there in that 4th world country did such a bad job of wrapping the drugs in toner cartridges that it was dis-covered before it even got out of

Columbia. Our thieves are just going to

have to start doing business with a better class of thieves. Or at least a smarter class of thieves.

And what’s up with our petrol thieves? Two illegal taps into the gasoline pipeline in Oaxaca last weekend have resulted in envi-ronmental and economic dam-ages for farmers and ranchers in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. One tap was followed by a spill that spread over a five-kilometer stretch, reaching a river and affecting at least 18 farms and ranches, where cattle are drinking contaminated water.

The sickening smell of gaso-line has been present for at least

four days and extends down the river as the leak flows. Produc-ers and farmers in both towns say they reported the smell and possible contamination of the creek, but they claim that Pemex representatives took their sweet time to respond.

Pemex personnel, however, allege that their slow response was due to the locals impeding their access to the compromised pipeline, demanding reparations before officials could even start mopping up. Says ranch owner Leticia Salas Bernal: “They [Pe-

mex] are the ones who contami-nated, they should be the ones to clean up. But the clean-up should not last a week because the creeks and rivers remain polluted months after the spill, affecting my pasture and farm lands. Whoa, Nellie, it was the gas thieves who are responsible, did you ever think of dropping a dime when you saw them cruise into your range? Of course not.

Just 20 minutes away from that spill, another illegal tap into the pipeline was detected, spilling 90,000 liters of gasoline into the Boca del Monte lagoon, After two days of work, Pemex personnel were able to retrieve 48,000 liters. The rest sank into the environ-

ment and was stolen by all the neighbors who piled on.

Mexicans love their Face-book. Mexicans are among the world’s most social population. CEPAL, the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, found that as of 2013, 78% of Mexican Internet users partici-pated in social media networks, which was even more than in the US/Canada, which claimed only 65%.

Based on Facebook us-ers, Mexico is in 5th place overall, at 44.4 million users. (The U.S. leads the way with 151.8 million users but we’re three times the population). Facebook was found to be the most popular network (145 million users), followed by ShareThis, Linked In, Twit-ter and Taringa.

Latin America/Caribbean users also spent more time on individual sites, averaging 17 minutes per site visit, although the U.S. and Europe led the world with their monthly total of hours spent online.

Other sites of interest to Latin Americans were news and e-commerce sites, but online bank-ing was at the bottom of the list. Well, that makes sense, many Mexicans are still hiding their savings under the mattress, afraid of another devastating devalu-ation of the peso.

Mexican s are learning to fly. Trav-el by air continues to grow in Mexico at the expense of the bus lines, whose fares in many cases are higher than those of the airlines. 20 years ago, just 0.9% of Mexicans traveled by air, a figure that has risen to 1.8%, according to estimates by the Secretariat of Communications and Trans-portation. The number of people who have traveled by plane grew

68% in the past 10 years, a period during which bus passenger lev-els grew just 21%.

One reason why travelers are choosing air over ground travel is the fares. Bus tickets increased 21% in price between 2012 and 2015 but airline tickets rose by

only 2.6% in

the same period. More Mexi-cans are discovering the advan-tages of air travel, according to the airlines, which estimate that during the past year 27% of their passengers — 877,480 people — were traveling by plane for the first time

Canada still closed to Mexi-cans. Bernard Trottier, a candi-

At a towing company: We don’t charge an

arm and a leg. We want tows

date in the October 19 federal election, has said that Mexico has not met socioeconomic require-ments to qualify for the lifting of the visa rule, which was imple-mented in 2009.

At the time it was explained that bogus refugee claims by Mexican citizens were the reason

for imposing the visa re-quirement, which was ex-pected to be a temporary measure, but nobody believed that then or now. Too many Mexicans were arriving on vacation, tak-ing a look at the gener-ous social benefits and choosing to remain and going on the dole. Every Mexican official since then has complained about this,

even to the point of strain-ing diplomatic relations.

But the need for obtaining a visa remains. Trottier said that under the criteria Canada uses to judge whether a visa should be required, Mexico does not qualify. “We hope that in the future it will, as is the case with Chile, but it does not meet those

Since 1971

Benito Juarez # 10, Quinta del Mar strip center, in front of the stop light

Phone 661-6121028 and 661-6130692Email: [email protected]

www.berniesinsurance.com

• Health and life insurance• House and Condo insurance• Legal Assistance• Car insurance (Mexico and US)• Board Association Insurance• Personal Accident

First in Rosarito,first in service

Let us pay pay your household bills on your behalf. Easy set up

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

I thought I would entertain you with a little drawing I made for my girlfriend Fluffy. That’s her with her back towards you, and it’s a picure of me and the Flufster messing around on the computer. (That’s my pet name for her, get it?) Well, actually, I’m messing around on the computer while Fluffy is admiring my computer skills.

And, I didn’t really sell the dog on eBay although I could if there would be any takers, ja ja ja!

Need A Restaurant?Rosarito RestaurantsDozens of different types to choose from, from San Antonio Del Mar to La Mision, on your Android phone or tablet. Just click on Play Store, and search for Rosarito Restaurants. Apple version coming later. Contact us to recommend restaurants or for info about how to be included. email: [email protected]

There’s an app for that


Guard Your InvestmentProfesional Community Management

At Associa we know there are unique needs for every community that requires management. That’s why we provide transparent, customized

homeowners association management, using the most rigorous financial safeguards in place to assure that your investment is secure

Rosarito Beach Office: Land line (664) 631-3331 Cell: (664)389-6493

Southern Baja: US 214 295 6245 Toll Free 1 (888) 613 2059 Email: [email protected]. 5401 N. Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75205. 800 808 4882. www.associaonline.com

We ensure the board that all properties are up to the community’s expectations. Depending on the individual need of the community, our goal is to improve the overall value of the community and the properties within it. From individual homes in open and gated communities to high rise condominiums with often absentee owners, we bring everyone

into the circle of communication.Every community is unique and we have the scale and depth to take care of every one of those special needs. Beyond board meetings, accounting and budgeting, we take care of the things that you see and experience every day.We make sure the flower beds look fresh. We hire trained and licensed security personnel (and make sure the

gates work properly too!). We even perform association and homeowner maintenance via Associa OnCall.We ensure the board that all properties are up to the community’s expectations. The list goes on, and we are there to be responsive to phone calls, emails and online requests via Associa Access. It’s a sense of professional service that we are proud to perform; it is our job to

be knowledgeable and responsive, providing our “Five Star Service” for all clients, and we take that job very seriously.It is our goal at Associa to provide the best return on your association’s investment and for your residents to see that value every time they come home…across every property we serve.

All Natural Smoothies, Salads, Sandwiches,

Juices, Bagels, Crepes & Frappuccinos

SMOOTHIE Tuesday

2 REG. x $3.50

On the free road K38.Walk through the pharmacy,

next to the surf shop

The GG is proud to serve as a bed for these doggies who are recovering from sterilization. Well, not happy about being used this way, but still proud to do our part, be it ever so humble

bunnies than dogs, and adding to the already grave situation. The big problem was that Jaime can’t catch them. The residents of the dump, (yes people live at the dump, shifting through it

DUMP DOGS GET A STILL...


where the public will be invited to attend. The Inauguration and international concert, called the “Extravaganza Concert” will take place from 6 - 10 pm on Friday the 2nd of October. The next

MARIACHIS AND FOLK...


Kids clowning around at the Boys & Girls Club of Rosarito Beach

for treasures to sell), felt that the dogs were theirs and didn’t want to give them up but when it was explained to them that the dogs would be brought back after they were patched up and steri-lyzed, they reluctantly agreed and rounded them up and handed them over.

The first clinic was held at

BAS on the first day of Septem-ber with 30 dogs sterilized after being bathed and prettied up the previous day.

Their flea and tick treatments costing $4 a syringe was donated by the Baja Dog Rescue. Dr. Re-beca Serano preped the patients for surgery, Alexander Guzman was responsible for anesthesia and antibiotic injections. Pre-op scrubbing and shaving of the surgical site was next while Kerry and Astrid filled out the forms for each dog and aided in the recovery ward. This was once again a true group effort. It was also important to show the dump people what can be done

to keep the dog population man-ageable both for the dogs’ benefit as well as our own. Trust has been created with the residents of the dump who will again help rouond them up for the next clinic which will be in October, with another in November.

When I first arrived in Ro-sarito, I saw packs of stray dogs almost on every street corner. This is no longer the case and a lot of the reason is Robin is teach-ing animal appreciation and care classes at the Boys and Girls Club, as well as in the schools. She takes her Collie Charlie who is a big hit with the kids.

It is hoped that the next generation of Mexicans will have a new attitude towards the responsibility we all have towards animals and that they might even impart some of their new knowl-edge to their parents. It’s a work in progress.

day will see the international competition starting at 10:00 am and running until 4 pm. Groups will compete for a grand prize of $5,000 USD.

But who started this festival? Rosy Torres said that ironically it was proposed by a Norte Ameri-cano, Gil Sperry, who has lived here for 17 years and has been described as, “an American who thinks he’s a Mexican”. Gil has been a great supporter of the Boys and Girls Club and has devoted many hours of his time to helping the kids succeed. He is well loved by the children and the staff. Rosy

herself is mobbed by the kids every time she steps through the doors. She has a kind, encourag-ing word for each of them and teases them unmercifully which

they just love. She is extremely busy, and so are all the staff, this time of year, getting all the thou-sands of details about the festival just right.

The growth of this festival has been phenomenal. In the last four years they have raised 5,000, 11,000, 21,000, and 42,000 dollars net of expenses for support of the Club. They are hoping to do even better this year because their dream is to build a brand new expanded clubhouse in the next couple of years. They have already acquired the land and they are in the process of amassing the funds needed to start construction.CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

KM 58.8 Free Road Tij-Ens

[email protected]. 646 227 4300 646 227 4301 646 227 0161

Great Food! Great Drinks!Great Prices!Great View!


Fish Report BY GARY GRAHAM

Coronado IslandsThe best bite for yellowtail

and bonito is on the weather side of North Island at the South

End; big schools of yellowtail are roaming around and are responding to fly-lined sardines and top water iron. If you can get past the Mexican Navy (you must have all necessary permits

and passports) and the sea lions, you’ll have a grand ol’ time catch-ing the yellowtail. Also notable is the occasional wahoo hooked

and landed by anglers trolling Rapalas for yellowtail near North Island.

A few miles outside of the islands are yellowfin tuna, dorado and a few marlin for those anglers

seeking more variety and fewer sea lions.

Ensenada The action remains as hot

as the weather. Salsipuedes and Todos Santos Island are both producing limits of calico bass and yellowtail plus bonito and barracuda. Farther offshore from Banda Bank, Hidden Bank and Soledad Bank are holding pe-lagics including yellowfin tuna, skipjack, a few wahoo, striped marlin as well as dorado beneath the kelp paddies.

Along the coast, at San Miguel Reef there are limits of rockfish on the bottom and a mix of yel-lowtail and calico bass on the surface for the local sportboats out of Ensenada.

San QuintinRocky Cairnes and friends get

together every year for a combo surf/fish trip to celebrate the life of their fishing buddy who passed away. Last year they honored him by crushing the tanker seabass and this year they honored him

Fish Killer Of The Week

Rocky Cairnes and his friends couldn’t believe their luck in landing this trophy-sized wahoo seldom seen this far north.

www.lajollareal.comOn the free road to Tijuana #3114

Blvd. Popotla, Rosarito

1•866•323•3969

The Best Deal on Rosarito’s CoastStarting at 200KExperience the Grand and Splendor

Resort Lifestyle on Oceanfront Condos

KM. 22 Ens-Tij Toll RoadBaja, Mexico

Football is finally here. Catch all your favorite

teams at Plan B.

with a 50 pound wahoo.Captain George spotted three

fish while throwing iron from the bow; he quickly changed to trolling rapalas and marauders and had a double hook-up — one fell off and the other was boated.

“Fish were in clean, 74-degree water at the 240 Rock,” com-mented Captain Kelly Catian. “Plus there were some large do-rado in the area.”

Bahia Los AngelesWhile the dorado dominated

and yellowtail cooperated for vis-iting anglers, some couldn’t resist snorkeling with whale sharks on Bahia close to the Rincon area.

gest clam cocktail with a 1,100 pounder. It looks like these days the Guinness people are making up ever weirder categories, so why not?

The festival, called Almejazo 2015, will be held October 3rd at the Mision Inn hotel, will have lots of clams, music, wine and beer so if you are a clam lover and have a chance, head south and be a part of the record.

Water pipe update. Water officials say they are working to get the water pipe from Tijuana to Ensenada working well again

QUE PASA IN BAJA?...


Ensenada, the only deep-water port on the Baja Peninsula, has been named Mexico’s first green port.

A green port is on that is environmentally conscious. As if ports had a conscious.

The green certification has been given to Ensenada because we comply with national and international laws regarding environmental management and port sustainability. And we keep emission of pol-lutants to a minimum. We’re not saying we don’t emit any, but we do keep them to a minimum so you hardly notice.

The certification program is operated by ECO Sustainable Logic Chain, a foundation that develops environmental management tools for ports all over the world. Oh oh. We see a conflict here. So the company that gives out the gold stars is also a company that can be hired to get a port qualified for a gold star. Hmmmm.....

To qualify for this gold star, a port must prepare an environmental policy, describe how environmental management is implemented and provide an overview of environment aspects of the port area. And guess who can do all that for the port’s management? Yup.

We’re not saying we don’t deserve it, we’re just saying what if we didn’t hire this company to help us out? Would we still have earned our star? Just asking.

We’re Mexico’s First Green Port!but that now they have only managed to get 11 gallons per second running through it. This water pipe project, which is seven months behind now, is supposed to bring about 80 gallons of water per second to Ensenada.

Lobster season begins. This past 16th of September gave start to the lobster season. Fisherman are happy this year because it is expected that lots of big lobsters are going to be available because of El Niño. This weather phenom-enon warms up the waters and this improves the growth of the lobster. This makes other species like abalone unhappy but the lob-sters love it. The head of the state CONTINUED ON PAGE 11


ROSARITOEvery Sunday 4pm. Cultural Sundays in the park,

featuring local Mexican and American dancers and musicians. At the IMAC in Abelardo L. Rodriguez park, west of Banamex. Different themes every Sunday. Sometimes food booths, other times vendors with food carts. Facebook IMAC Rosarito. Free.

Every Second Wednesday (except December). 2pm. Friends of the Library meeting at main library of IMAC building next to Abelardo Rodríguez Park. Promotes reading and literacy in Rosarito. www.friendsofthelibrary.com.mx. Carmen Dominguez, 661-612-3659. [email protected]

Every Third Wednesday (except December). 10am. Flying Samaritans meeting at Villas del Mar clubhouse on free road 2 miles south of Rosarito. Volunteers provide free health services and clinics. www.flyingsamaritansrosarito.org. Susan Smith, 661-100-6066, U.S. 858-240-2360. [email protected]

Every Wednesday, 12:00 pm. Writer’s Workshop at Eden Restaurant, (next to Cruz Roja Thrift Store). Published and unpublished writers welcome! Bring samples (3-7 pages) of your work to share. Marsh Cassady: [email protected].

Every Third Wednesday (except December). 2-4pm. Bingo at Oceana Grill & Cafe, Blvd. Benito Juárez #907-24. Great prizes, 6 different games. Benefits Flying Samaritans. www.flyingsamaritansrosarito.org. Susan Smith, 661-100-6066, U.S. 858-240-2360. [email protected]

Every Second Thursday. 10am. Cruz Roja volunteers general meeting at Rosarito Beach Hotel. Provides assistance in case of accidents or disasters. www.cruzrojarosarito.org.mx. Rosie Pena, 664-976-0613, U.S. 619-621-0292. [email protected]

Ever y We dnes day. 1pm. Wr i t e r ’s Wo r k s h o p . E d e n Restaurant, behind Waldo’s and C r u z R o j a Thrift Shop in central Rosarito. Learning, sharing, supporting and networking. Bring samples of your work

Every Third Thursday. 9am. General Meeting for FRAO, Foreign Residents Assistance Office. Open to the public. Usually held at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, with parking validated. Sometimes held at other local sites. Breakfast occasionally provided, but always available. Different speakers brought in to inform or address issues of concern to foreigners living in Mexico. [email protected]

Every Friday. 4pm. Spanish class main library, by IMAC, in Abelardo Rodriguez park behind BanaMex. Beginner level class with Sylvia. Free but donation appreciated.

Every First Saturday. 10am. United Society of Baja California (USBC) general meeting at Casa Blanca Restaurant, Rosarito Beach Hotel. Good info for the English speaking community of charitable, community service and social organizations. www.unitedsocietyofbaja.org. Judy Westphal, 661-614-1113. [email protected]

Every First Saturday. Noon-sundown. Open Studio Art Walk, a free tour of galleries in Rosarito Beach Hotel commercial center. Meet artists at work in their studios. [email protected]

Every Third Saturday. 1pm. USBC, United Society of Baja California, monthly Potluck dinner, held at La

Maroma Sports Bar, across from Burger King. Different theme evey month. 50/50 raffle. Live entertainment at most events. Free for members and guests. Membership only $15 USD per year. Beverages ordered from the Bar at reduced Club prices.

Every single day. AA “Grupo Gringo” meets daily in their meeting hall, #16 Mar Meditteraneo (two blocks behind Hotel Brisas del Mar). Meetings: Saturday, 3:00; Sunday, Monday, Thursday: 10:00 am; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:00 pm. Additional meetings in Cantamar (just south of the footbridge) Tuesday and Friday, 10:00 am.. For more information, 661-614-1678.August 26, Wednesday, 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Sabor de Baja White Attire Party and Culinary Competition at the Rosarito Beach Hotel garden. Showcasing Baja’s top chefs paired with Mexican wines and craft beers. $65, tickets are limited, and all guests MUST wear white. Price includes all food and drink pairings. entertainment by Maryam Malak. Tickets at Extreme Hair Salon (cash only), Rosarito Bea1ch Hotel (cash or credit card), and the Mi Casa Supper Club during business hours (cash, check or credit card), or through PayPal at [email protected]. Must be 21 years of age. Information: www.facebook.com/SaborDeBaja, 664-609-3459.

September 24, Thursday, 5:00 pm USBC Restaurant Tour to Claudius Winery, Rosarito’s only winery; 3722 Sharp Blvd (off the free road near the Sharp building).Three course dinner accompanied by wines, and tour: $15. (Tip not included). RSVP by September 21. Seating

is limited. Sandi Eddahbi at [email protected].

September 23. Wednesday. Advanced Acting Class at Rosar ito Theater Gui ld , downtown Ros ar i to one block south of Elektra, behind Comex. $15/members; $20 non-members, special child rates. Reservations required; no purchases at the event. Information: Oswell Melton,

email: [email protected]; phone: MX: 661-119-9214; US 1-619-356-6454.

September 24-27. Thursday to Sunday. Trip to Tequila, Mexico. Arrangements being made by Scot Richardson of Once Upon a Time in Rosarito.

September 24, Thursday, 11:00 AM, Friends of the Library Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament. Doors open at 10:00 am. Reservations Required! New location at Mi Casa Supper Club in San Antonio Del Mar.Go to www.friendsofthelibrary.com.mx. $30 buy-in. 48 player max. Information: Dave Merino, MX: 664-904-3106 or US: 1-619-800-7941.

September 25-27. Friday to Sunday. The Smell of the Kill at Rosarito Theater Guild. downtown Rosarito. Matinee on Sunday at 2pm. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7pm.Cines Rio building, 76 Benito Juarez Blvd, Rosarito. Members: $12; Non-members: $15. Tickets through PayPal (credit cards) or at the box office (cash).

September 26 Saturday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Blues Against Hunger Food Drive at Paradise Cove Bar and Grill (km 36 on the free road). Featuring the Wild Pack ATM Band and the Baja All-Star Borrachos blues band. Free entrance with donation of any non-perishable food item. Benefits 60 local needy families.

August 30, Sunday, 9:00 am. “Wateke” Baja Sand and Social. At Rosarito Beach Hotel. Culmination of the sand castle contest and beach games: futbol, basketball, volleyball, surfing and a bike fun ride. Nighttime entertainment, 5:00 pm– 10:00 pm. Donation 50 pesos. www.facebook.com/Wateke Baja Sand.

Calendar of EventsAll prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

September 24-27. Thursday to Sunday. Trip to Tequila, Mexico. Arrangements being made by Scot Richardson of Once Upon a Time in Rosarito.

September 25. Friday. Food and Wine Expo 2015 at La Candalaria Hall in Tijuana, 5pm

September 25. Friday. Baja California Orchestra performance of classical music at City Hall, Rosarito, 7pm

September 25. Friday. San Diego Padres Fiesta at the Park at Petco Park, San Diego. Presentation of Mexican culture with mariachis, folklorico and flamenco dancers, Lucha Libre Exhibition (yes Luche Libre!!!), Live DJ, and food & drink. Watch the presentation and then stay for the Padres game.

September 26. Saturday. 10 am. Rosarito to Ensenada Bicycle Ride starts on Benito Juarez Blvd, in front of Rosarito Beach Hotel. This family-friendly bike ride is held twice a year. Some ride to compete, but most ride for fun. Big end-of-ride-party in Ensenada.

September 30 to October 3. Wednesday to Saturday. 6th Annual Mariachi & Ballet Folklorico Festival, people’s choice competition and workshops, held at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. The two time Grammy Award winning mariachi divas, workshops, and cocktails with the stars.

October 1 November. Saturday-Sunday. KatrinaFest — IMAC Park, Rosarito

October 1-3. 8am. Mariachi y Ballet Folklorico Festival/Workshops. Rosarito Beach Hotel. 6th Annual

October 3. Saturday. 11am to 7pm. Pacific BeachFest and 1st Annual San Diego Craft Beer Garden. Enjoy an action packed day at the beach with live music, a 5k fun run, volleyball, surf contest. 858-273-3303.

October 2-4. Friday-Sunday. EnTijuanaArte Art Event — Cecut, Tijuana and competitions between U.S. and Mexican mariachis, singing and dancing. (661) 100 6066 or (858) 240 2360 or Facebook it again.

October 7, Wednesday, 1:00 pm “The Great Cookie Wars” Flying Samaritans monthly luncheon at Las Rocas Resort. Five local bakers vie for the title of best cookie maker in Baja. $15 includes luncheon and cookies. A $1.00 donation allows you to perhaps alter the judges’ decision by voting for your favorite cookie. RSVP: Susan Smith: email: [email protected]; phone: 1-858-240-2360.

October 10 to 11. Saturday to Sunday. Baja Culinary Fest — Tijuana, Revolution Avenue, between 8th and 9th.

Oct 14-18 Tijuana Tequila Expo Festival — Tijuana, stay tuned for more info.

October 18, Soup’s On, Cruz Roja benefit luncheon. More later

October 23. Friday. International Music Festival Allegro at Rosarito Beach Hotel, free.

October 24, Baja Spay and Neuter Event. More laterOctober 28, Directing Class at Rosarito Theatre. More

later.October 31. Saturday. Zombie 5K Run, 4pm —

Parque MoralesOctober TBD. Battle of the Bands. Prizes will include:

Recording Studio Time, Custom CD Replication, Musical Instruments, Cash and prizes provided by sponsors.

November 19, Friends of the Library Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament. More later.

November 20 & 21, Cruz Roja Damas Christmas Bazaar. More later

December 2, Flying Sams monthly luncheon, White Elephant Gift Exchange. More later

December 5, Friends of the Library Holiday Home CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

I’ve thought about running away more

times as an adult than as a child.


ENSENADA

Every Monday. 7pm. Ceart Cine Club. Films about dance with “Billy Elliot” April 13, “Five Dances” April 20, “Desert Dancer” April 27. English with Spanish subtitles. Foro Experimental of Centro Estatal de las Artes (CEART) on Blvd. Costero (Lázaro Cárdenas) & Av. Club Rotario. Free. CEART, 646-173-4307.

Every First & Third Wednesday. 10:30am. Club Compañeros de Baja Norte general meeting at clubhouse on Calle Mazatlán #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, 1 mile south of Ensenada. Lunch $6 donation. Multicultural, multilingual, nonprofit service and social club. Nancy McKee, 646-174-5011, U.S. 619-207-4325. [email protected] Fourth Thursday. Red Hat Society

lunch at various local restaurants. Tillie Foster, cell 646-171-5292. [email protected] Friday. 7:30-9:30pm. Live world and cultural music at El Callejón Colectivo Culinario, Floresta #320 near southern Blvd. Costero extension, Fracc. Acapulco, 1 1/2 miles south of Ensenada. Free. Performer schedule with Alex O., cell 646-101-0812. [email protected]

Every Friday 7:30 pm. Live music at El Callejon Colectivo Culinario; Floresta #320, Fracc. Acapulco, Ensenada. Alex Orendain, [email protected], 646-120-8004; www.elcallejoncolectivoculinario.com.

September 25. Friday. Papas and Beer Birthday Celebration. 646-174-0145 or Cellular 6461854345. September 25 – 27, Friday – Sunday, 8:00 am – 11:30 pm. Baja Seafood Expo at the Port of Ensenada, at the Culture

and Science Museum (across from the Riviera, near cruise ship terminal). More than 200 seafood restauranteurs, experts, and producers. Free. Information: 52-646-120-2677 or www.bajaaseafoodexpo.com.

October 10. Saturday. 8am. Plastic VolleyBall Tournament at Estero Beach Hotel. Volleyball is back, in October, family style. Proceeds to the Baja Scholarship Fund. Contact [email protected] with questions or to help/get involved or register at: http://plasticclothing.com/plastic-caps/estero-volleyball

October 16 to 18. Friday to Sunday. Festival de Trova Coincidir, at Pena Cafe Coincidir. 21 concerts in 3 days. Information 646-137-7817 or 646-195-4463.

October 17. Saturday. 7am to 8pm. Baja Endurance 100K Run, Ensenada.

Project: Land in Rosarito between Las Ventanas and Cantamar is on the block for a mere $27/sq ft. Ideal for resort, now that resort property is selling like hot cakes.Contact Alfredo Aragon, Tels (01 81) 8381-3323, 1806-8164,. [email protected].

Pssst! Wanna Build An Oceanfront Resort?

Tou. More laterDecember 5 Saturday, 6:00 pm USBC Holiday Ball at

Rosarito Beach Hotel. $30 per person (tables of 8 or 10

available). Music by Pachuco Blues. Rose Dillon: 661-120-4491. [email protected]; Annie Saravera: [email protected].

December 12. Saturday. 8pm. Mariachi Vargas — Baja California Center

Bo Bendana and Dennis Sein, owners of Mi Casa Sup-per Club, pulled off another successful finale to summer. Participanting restaurants in the Sabor de Baja event were set up and ready for the sold out crowd and they were enthusias-tic in describing their offerings. The event was hotter than last year…and we’re not just talking about the weather. 300 white-attired guests wined and dined on the talented concoctions of 20 chefs from 20 wineries/breweries.

This year’s judges were TV host, chef, and author Porter Brooks; author and food blog-ger Anita Lau; Michelin-star chef and restauranteur Drew Deckman; food blogger Michael Gardiner, and an enologist (wine guy,) from Valle de Guadalupe, Marco Antonio Amador.

BY REN DRAKE HILL

Sabor de Baja 2015 Is Another SuccessAlthouogh it was hotter than hell, it was sold out. Tents next year. That’s a must

First Place was awarded to Sabor first-timer Latitude 32 and chef Mareos Martin for his Mayan black ceviche, made with recada negro, habanero oil, red onion and cilantro. The paired wine was Cassiopea 2014 Sauvignon Blanc from Vinos el Cielo.

Second place was given to Savieros’ chef Brito and his Risotto in wine sauce with sundried tomatoes and crispy deep-fried lamb chicharon. Vincola Regional de Ensenadas provided the 2014 Nebiollo sur-corojo/cabernet blend pairing.

Third place went to La Caza Club and Chef Aviles with his sautéed pig’s collar taco, with arugula, fig, goat cheese and almonds. Cerveza Insurgentes’ Tiniebla Witbeer, brewed with

coriander and orange peel (available in TJ and SD) was a brilliant

pairing.The People’s Choice was

awarded to Navio and Chef Rodriguez with a sublime Blue-fin tuna tostada, paired with Legado Seis’ 2014 Sauvignon Blanc.

I found it harder to judge wines against one another this year as so many were blends of two to five grape varieties. I’m a conservative imbiber (not that I’m voting for Carly Fiorina), but I drink less than one bottle of wine per week. Pairing 15 to 20 wines (and beer) is 7 to 10 glasses of wine, or one glass for every three or four bites of food. This could have been a recipe for disaster; the hottest day of the summer, with no shade, and

four hours of all-the-wine-one-can-drink,before we all drive home.

They might think about shade tents…white tents, to keep with the theme. Guests shouldn’t be toppling over be-fore the fourth booth.

This year tickets sold out three weeks before the event. If you missed out (or even if you didn’t) the 2016 Sabor de Baja and White Attire Party will be August 31, so mark your calen-dars for early ticket purchase now. If you haven’t attended, you are missing out on the so-cial event of the year.

MARTINEZ ARTS

• Iron Work• Woodwork • Entry Gates• Front Doors• Interior Doors • Staircases

• Kitchen Cabinets • Chandeliers• Hacienda Style Furniture • Light Fixtures• Closets And More

Send us your proyects (Pictures And Dimensions) to give you a [email protected] Call: (011 52) 661 612 4499

Follow us in Facebook: Martinez Arts Inc Visit Our Showroom In Rosarito. Free Road Tij-Ens KM. 40.5

We Offer Custom:

5% OFF with this ad

in the Standard lane may endure wait times of five hours. During the weekday, average wait time is still 60-90 minutes in these lanes, so be sure to fill up at the pump if you’re headed through a Standard lane. And go to the bathroom first.

The Readylane is a faster way to go than the Standard lanes be-cause CBP officers do not need to type in cardholder information. Driving in the Readylane is 10 to 15 seconds faster per vehicle than the Standard lane. Imagine it’s 4th



Sabor de Baja was a sell out, even though everyone had to sit out in the sun the entire afternoon

of July, and you and your friends have been partying at Papas and Beer. The weekend is over and ev-eryone is hungover, tired and des-perate to get home. It’s one o’clock in the afternoon, and somebody checks the San Ysidro border wait times from the website www.apps.cbp.gov . In this scenario you’re likely to hear four hours to cross in Standard lanes, 120 minutes in Readylane and only thirty minutes for SENTRI?! Sign me up! If you’re ready to sign up, you’re eligible for SENTRI if you’re a U.S or Mexican citizen, a lawful permanent U.S. Resident, or one of a few oth-CONTINUED ON PAGE 11


Storage space starting from $50 monthly

Free Some Space @ Home!!

KM 40.5 Free Road in RosaritoPh. (661) 614 1642 • US. (619) 797 [email protected]

Now offering moving services!

Office Hours: 9am-5pm • Closed WednesdayGate Hours 8am-6pm Everyday

• Wooden Horizontal• Duo Shades• Roman Shades• Motorized Systems

Ph. (661) 100-2186. Showroom:Blvd. Benito Juarez #16-A, RosaritoAcross from Bonanova Hospital

• Carpet• Laminated Flooring• Synthetic Grass

10% OFF in roller shades screenValid thru Sept. 2015

We are manufacturersof Shutters & Rollers

23 yrs Exp. - FREE Estimates

Subscribe!!or we’ll throw thekitty under the busGo to page 4

Quinceaneras Godparents Needed

BY REN DRAKE HILL

We’ll explain what that is

A quinceanera is the Mexican equivalent of a Sweet 16 party, or Bat Mitzvah, or coming out party, but on steroids. Think of it less as a birthday party, and more like a wedding and reception.

This isn’t merely a birthday party, but the most important day in a young woman’s life, as she leaves her childhood behind and becomes a woman eligible for grown up, er, activities.

Many families save for many years so they can provide their daughters with the Quinceanera of their dreams. However, 15 15 year olds and 15 families here in Rosarito Beach are in despair because they just couldn’t save the money to grant their daughters those dreams.

Everyone, individuals and clubs, are invited to participate in the solution they came up with. Normally, each girl celebrates her own personal quinceanera where she gets all the attention, but to save costs, 15 girls will share their big day with each other and throw one big party with a limit of 30 guests each. This is in addition to their sponsoring godfather and godmother they are looking for. That’s a big party of 495 people. Are

you ready to become a godparent?The party will be held this com-

ing February 16 which sounds like a long way off, but there is much to do, and anyway, all the girls have to turn 15.

Many items have already been donated, including the dresses

and hair/make-up services. Other items needed include (for each girl), a bouquet, a crown, personal cake, jewelry, high heel shoes, and other personal items, plus table and room decorations. Each girl will select the color/theme for her table. Also needed are a photog-rapher, videographer, band, DJ or live music; food and drink, and a venue that will hold 500 people.

There are not many venues in Rosarito that large, so it will be a short search. Time to step up local hotels! And of course, monetary donations are always welcome. If you have a talent or connec-tion for anything on the above list, please contact the organizers

by their November 11 deadline with your information, logo, and brief description of what you can contribute. Please help make this a special day for these girls to re-member forever.

For additional information: Sara Vega: [email protected]. Phone: 661-850-4855; or Maggie Ruiz: phone: 1-619-371-1784. ,

There comes a time in every day that no matter the question,

the answer is wine

criteria. They’re based on socio-economic factors.”

Trottier explained that thanks to the visa rule the Canadian government has saved CAD $500 million annually in refugee pro-

cessing costs, choosing not to go into how much in social benefit costs Canada has saved.

Mexico steps up to the plate. It was a big step for Mexico when President Enrique Peña Nieto announced in September last year that the Mexican military will participate in international peacekeeping operations con-ducted by the United Nations.

Yesterday, that big step ma-terialized in a rather small way: turns out a total of two soldiers will join a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon in November.

Mexico goes English. Mexico will be a bilingual country within 10 to 20 years, the new Secre-tary of Education has forecast. Aurelio Nuño Mayer said the federal government is working on the creation of a national English program in order to reach that goal. “English is the language through which we can all communicate; it is a tool and a fundamental part of professional development and moderniza-tion,” he said.

Kids are supposed to learn it now, but they don’t, largely be-cause the teachers don’t know it. Estimates of the number of Mexi-cans who speak or understand English run between 2% and 5%,

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THIS...


a situation that represents a great cost to the country’s competitive-ness internationally, said Mayer.

This brings me to one of my favorite jokes. Question: what do you call a monolingual person? Answer: American

He expressed alarm ear-lier this year that teaching Eng-lish was not a pr ior ity in a country whose major trading p ar t n e r s a re English-speak-ing. He cited some figures to make his point: 80% of basic ed-ucation gradu-ates — those who

complete primary and secondary levels — have no knowledge of English at all, and in only 48% of Mexico’s universities is English a mandatory course. Nor do busi-nesses allocate any resources for training staff in English. “It is a subject that has been abandoned not only by the government, but by the private sector as well.” He observed that workers who can speak English can earn 28% to 50% more than those who do not.

Mother of all tamales. People in New Mexico are claiming they have cooked the world’s longest

tamale. A team of more than 30 chefs

did it to celebrate the state’s heri-tage. Well, it’s a fake heritage, we are the real deal and we should be the ones to build this tamale.

These imposters claim they built a 116 foot, 7 inch long ta-

male at the fairgrounds in Belen New Mexico.

It took 120 pounds of masa and 50 pounds of green chile. A local manufacturer of home im-provement material designed a special steamer out of aluminum to cook the tamale in.

The team plans to submit cONTINued ON pAGe 12

Don’t Risk Jail Time in Mexico!

www.insuranceinbaja.comPh. (664) 158-0472 • In the Rosarito Beach Hotel

strip mall on Benito Juarez Blvd.

Federal law requires drivers in Mexico to have a minimum of $300,000 Liability Insurance

3 Days Liability Ins.Only $39 dlls

1Year Liability Ins.Only $189 dlls

FOR SALE BY OWNER Rosarito Beach. Excellent location, KM. 33 across Las Palmas condominiums on East side of Blvd. Popotla. Main house 2 bd/1 bath; outside is a 3/4 bath and storage unit; additional structure is ideal for a business (we used it as a kitchen/rec room). Upstairs is a studio apartment with balcony and ocean views. 249,000 USD/OBO. [email protected]


David [email protected] (624) 121-1214

Wineimproves with age. I improve

with wine

Happy HourMon-Friday2-6 PM

On the oldSplash location

KM 52 Free Road Rosarito-Ensenada

Caesar Salad $9Ribeye Steak $16

Risoto with shrimp $8If you love Mexican culture, fabulous music, and great en-tertainment as well as satisfying your need to support wonderful causes, then you must set aside the dates of October 2nd and 3rd. Get a group together and spend a couple of days improving your musical life and knowledge.

The classes for the students are $100 for each student.

October 1st Cocktails with the Stars is 7-9 pm and costs $25 per person.

October 2nd International Concert 6-10 pm is $15 per per-son

O c -tober 3rd International

Competition 10 am to 4 pm is $10 per person

All events except the classes (which are at the Boys and Girls Club) are at the Rosarito Beach Hotel.

To support the Boys and Girls Club and/or to inquire about tickets, email Rosy Torres at [email protected] or call for information at 661-850-1773.

MARIACHIS AND FOLK...


fishing office, Matias Arjona, also said that at this moment lobster has reached an excellent price on international markets.

Surfers lost and found. Three American surfers travelling south of San Quintin were unaccounted for for a couple days giving a huge scare to their families back in the States. Social media was flooded with images of the surfers for a day or two but they were found safe and sound just a couple days later. It turns out their truck got stuck in the mud because of heavy rains in a deserted area with no cell phone reception but they managed to get to a nearby ranch where local people fed them and gave them shelter for a night and helped them get their truck out of the mud. Turns out they are fine and very thankful to the Mexican family that came to their rescue.

You made the right choice. If you retired in Ensenada that is. We recently made it on another one of those bull shit lists of best places to retire in Mexico, pub-lished in a finance blog called munknee.com. (We’re pretty sure the winner of those contests are

QUE PASA IN BAJA?...


ers with no minimum crossings required. Membership lasts five years, and costs $122.25 at the writing of this article. Applicants will need to allow a background check against criminal, law en-forcement, customs, immigration and terrorist indices, a 10 fin-gerprint law enforcement check, and a personal interview with a CBP officer. People ineligible for the program include convicted



the towns that give away free balloon rides to the so called reporters. )

But this one is being tossed around a lot on social media and it has almost 15,000 views at press time so it’s worth mentioning. Ensenada made second place on the top 10 and the author starts by quoting John Vogel from Ba-jaWine.info: “In Ensenada, you have everything that a major city could have but it’s still a small family town”.

We don’t have everything. We don’t have water anymore, but hopefully this will be fixed in a couple months.

The article is definitely worth the read, shining a light on 10

other places that even if you don’t want to retire there are definitely worth visiting.

felons, anyone convicted of any criminal offense, or people who have previously violated customs immigration or agriculture laws.

As easy as it is to become a SENTRI member, it’s just as easy to have membership revoked, be fined or even face imprisonment.

SENTRI and Customs regula-

tions are often the same, so if you violate a SENTRI rule, you may be breaking the law. Keep in mid that customs laws are federal laws, and they apply regardless of what state you come from or from where you leave the country. A few examples of SENTRI / Customs violations CONTINUED ON PAGE 12


La Mision Rentals & Sales

Houses for Rent from $300 monthLots for Sale from $20K • Houses for Sale from $50K

Ph. 760-250-7055www.bajatom.com • [email protected]

SENIORS 50% OFFYOUR CHECK*

*Restrictions apply. Valid only on El Meson Restaurant. Open 3PM to 10PMOnly on orders for adults 55 or older. One coupon per customer. Not valid on lobster, steaks or molcajetes. Valid thru October 2015.

showing this adLocated Inside

Super Special!

Ocean View Private Homes From $129K

www.plazadelmar.com.mx

Single StoryGated CommunityTerrace, Patio, BBQ pit 2&3bd/2bth

Ph. 646 155 07 29KM 57. La Fonda Exit

all the required documentation to Guinness World Records to get official recognition for the achievement.

According to Guinness World Records, the longest tamale as-sembled was in Cancún, in 2011 and measured a little longer than 66 feet. Geeze, only 66 feet, we got our ass whipped.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THIS...


include, but are not limited to: if your car is not registered with SENTRI while driving in the SENTRI lane, if passengers in your vehicle are non-members, but you



BY REN DRAKE HILL

Mexican Border Crossing NewsListen up, or don’t come whining to us when you get snagged at the border

Many of us in northern Baja travel back to the States often. Many of us participate in bus trips organized by social groups here. Many travelers were sur-prised recently upon returning to their homes in Baja through San Ysidro.

This is yet another reminder to keep your Mexican docu-ments with you at all times. We all remember to carry our passport, passport card, or Sen-tri when we’re knocking on the

door of the U.S., but we also must remember our Mexican visas or immigration status cards (or FM3 booklet), for our return to Mexico.

Buses, especially those re-turning south Monday through Thursday, are apt to be stopped, compelling riders to go through customs before walking across the border to join their bus on the other side. If you don’t have your valid visa with you, you are asked, (required, actually), to fill out new paperwork, which could compromise your current residency status. And even cars going south are more closely watched now, with some being stopped and you better be able to pony up your Mexican paper work. And walking? Don’t walk in without it, for sure, for sure.

In most cases, a color copy of both sides of your temporary or permanent residency card will suffice. Carry it! Always, when you’re border hopping.

In other border news, Mex-ico’s National Immigration In-stitute, in their infinite wisdom and in order to make border crossings easier and faster, has made it possible to buy the 180 day (6 month) FMM traveler’s visa online. Purchase may be made by credit or debit card and then you can print out a docu-ment to show as proof of pay-ment at your border crossing of choice. Once it’s been approved and you printed it out, you have 30 days in which to initially use the document which is stamped upon entering Mexico the first

time.Website: www.inm.gob.mx/

fmme/publico/solicitud.html .Unfortunately, as with all

Mexican government stuff, the website and form is in Spanish, without translation. However, you can check the box at the bottom of the instructions to bring up the form, which is eas-ily translatable if you know even rudimentary Spanish. (Uno mas cerveza does not count). You can also run it through Google translate.

are, if you make a false declaration, or if you import large amounts of alcohol / tobacco products with-out paying the required duty to name a few.

For additional examples, pick up a Know Before You Go Bro-chure at the SENTRI enrollment

office at the San Ysidro border crossing. Although my Global Entry membership was revoked it was reinstated after an extensive interview. Supervising CBP officer Gonzalez emphasized to me how important it is to follow the rules at all times. If I violate a SENTRI regulation again I will never be able to regain membership, so be aware of all rules and regulations before driving into the SENTRI lane, or crossing the border at all.

For more information on SEN-TRI and border crossing, visit http://www.cbp.gov. To apply for SENTRI, visit https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov. For assistance with applying visit the San Ysidro SENTRI Enrollment Office at 795 East San Ysidro Blvd.; near the pe-destrian exit at the San Ysidro Port of entry. Walk-in help is available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m – 4 p.m.


MARTINEZ ARTS

• Iron Work• Woodwork • Entry Gates• Front Doors• Interior Doors • Staircases • Kitchen Cabi-

nets • Chandeliers• Hacienda Style Furniture • Light Fixtures• Closets And More

Send us your proyects (Pictures And Dimensions) to give you a [email protected] Call: (011 52) 661 612 4499

Follow us in Facebook: Martinez Arts Inc Visit Our Showroom In Rosarito. Free Road Tij-Ens KM. 40.5

We Offer Custom:

When Did This Happen?

You have to squint to see that these bake sale ladies are all Mexicans. Up until very recently Mexican senoras would wear nice dresses, and you would rarely see them in pants. Now they nearly all nearly all the time wear pants. Here, they’re even decked out in jeans and T shirts at a fund raising bake sale.

When this cultural change happened, it came in a rush. Gosh, are we Gringos responsible for this?

Documents

GRINGO eless · GRINGO. rth. VOL. 2 ED. 15 • SEPTEMBER 21. TH, 2015 • NO BAD NEWS. eless.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6. Dump Dogs Get A . Still Worse Day. The